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Northern native plant sale expands name and scope

May 22, 2013

The
Northern Native Plant Sale, a staple event for northern flower gardeners for
the last decade, just got bigger. Under the leadership of the Bayfield Regional
Conservancy, the plant sale will also include speakers, vendors, and children’s
activities.

Now
named the Northern Native Plant Sale and Garden Event, the eleventh annual sale
will take place Sat, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sigurd Olson
Environmental Institute (SOEI) on the campus of Northland College. Northern
native plant expert Sarah Boles will lead a walking tour at 10 a.m. of native
gardens on campus.

In
addition to the plant sale, experts will be on hand to talk about northern
native plants, local nurseries, fruit and vegetable plants, massage therapy and
herbs for healthy living.The Fish Creek
Partnership, and the participation of the Fish Creek Partnership, a project
housed at SOEI, will be leading free activities for children, including folding
Curious George-style boats from newspapers and planting native flowers to take
home.

The
Northern Native Plant Project at SOEI started the plant sale eleven years ago
as way to promote proper planting and preservation of northern Wisconsin native
plants. Initiated and championed by native plant enthusiasts Pam Troxell and
Karen Danielsen. Both women died prematurely from cancer—Troxell in 2007 and
Danielsen in 2009 —but the sale lives on in their memory, say organizers.

“Pam and Karen were charter members of the
Northern Native Plants advisory committee, both were enthusiastic leaders in
the effort to promote the use of northern native plants in our region, and were
an inspiration to many,” said Becky Brown, owner of Wildflower Woods Nursery in
Washburn and a consistent vendor at this event.

There
are many reasons to consider native plants, Brown said. “Native plants help
insure the protection of plant genotypes and communities and can increase the
appreciation of the native plants,” she said. “It’s also a nice way to connect
people with nature.”